The city of Peterson will finally see resolution to long-standing problems at the wastewater treatment plant. Councilor Dick Lee has been meeting with representatives from engineering and planning firm WHKS & Co. and Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc., the firms involved in the design and build. Constructed in 2010, issues with condensation have been at the forefront for the last several years. The city attempted to mitigate the issue through League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, but was informed the city’s coverage would not cover the damage due to faulty workmanship, rust, and corrosion. The city has maintained at previous council meetings that the building was not designed to accommodate the internal moisture present.

For the last several months, the city has been collecting data on temperature and humidity inside the facility, before and after fan usage. It has been determined that installation of a fan roughly three times the size of what is currently in place will remedy the issue. However, the question of who pays, and how much, remained.

At the February 11 council meeting, the three entities reached an agreement to see WHKS and Wieser Brothers pay $1,000 each of the labor of installation and the materials. The city will pay the electrical portion of the installation, estimated at under $500. Lee anticipates that the fan could be in place within two or three weeks.

The “drop dead” date for resolution of the problem was noted as March 20. Councilor Loren Rue suggested perhaps the city file legal paperwork, even if the city does not proceed with further legal action, but as a matter of protection for the city if the fan modification does not work. However, Lee noted that all calculations appear to be on the right track and that filing paperwork may jeopardize work that’s been done to mitigate the issue without legal action. Additionally, Lee felt the city had a poor chance of succeeding in a legal battle due to lack of absolute proof. “We could be spinning our wheels,” he added. “I think this is going to solve our problem. We should do it; accept their money and be done with it.” The council passed the agreement unanimously. Councilor Gail Boyum was absent.

Work on the city hall remodel is also progressing, but has hit a financial stumbling block. Atkinson Construction has requested a second adjustment to the bid to accommodate for additional work and ma .....[Read the Rest]

Over the decades technology has advanced to limits unimaginable by many people. In 1955, a man walking on the moon would have been inconceivable and a work of fiction. Fourteen years later, it became a reality. The world is filled with incredible
..... [Read the Rest]

The R-P School District is considering options for increased security measures at the school in light of parent concerns last October. A policy for identification of staff and visitors is in place, with all non-authorized personnel to check in at
..... [Read the Rest]

Following the appointment of newly appointed Councilor Loren Rue to the Peterson Council on January 14, the Council’s actions, particularly to appoint Rue, have been questioned. Councilor Dave Colbenson requested time to speak, prior to citizen co
..... [Read the Rest]

Changes are happening in the hamlet of Peterson. In the last few years, the town’s historic bandstand was restored; then, in 2012, the Penger Vault, the former bank, was creatively renovated for distinctive lodging. In 2013, the go-to spot, Burd
..... [Read the Rest]

The ice is one of Minnesotan’s great loves and although the Rushford Peterson Valley may be home to the mighty, mighty Trojans, there aren’t trophies and pennants for hockey or ice skating lining the school halls… yet.
Years ago, the commu
..... [Read the Rest]

When my son was in the 6th grade, his teacher had a big banner strung across his wall that said: Whatever is right is not always popular and what ever is popular is not always right. Those words have stuck in my mind for 15 years now and are somet
..... [Read the Rest]

A special meeting of the Rushford-Peterson School Board was called Thursday, January 15 for the purpose of adopting a debt compliance policy and to approve the sale of bonds. All members of the board were present, including new directors Joyce Ivers
..... [Read the Rest]

The new Peterson Council, including Mayor Tim Hallum, dove into a heavy agenda at their first meeting of the year, January 14. Following the official swearing in of Hallum and councilors Gail Boyum and Dave Colbenson who were reelected, the council
..... [Read the Rest]